Posted 6:08 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, 2013
Rollo Taylor, a long-time physical education instructor and 1956 alumnus, died Aug. 23, 2013.
[caption id="attachment_4189" align="alignright" width="321"]
Rollo Taylor when he was inducted into the 1987 Wall of Fame.[/caption]
Rollo G. Taylor, 78, of La Crosse, died Aug. 23, 2013, after a 13-year struggle with the genetic neurological disease, Cadasil. He graduated from UW-L in 1956, serving his senior year as class president. He was an athlete at La Crosse State, lettering in basketball and cross-country.
Taylor began his 36-year career in education with 10 years of high school teaching and coaching in Horicon and West Bend. During this 10-year period, he continued his education with advanced degrees at UW-Madison and Arizona State University. He returned to campus in 1965 to teach and coach, retiring in 1992 as professor emeritus. He is survived by his wife, Kay, and their three children and their families. Memorials may be given to the Taylor Family Scholarship at the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, Wis., 54601. This scholarship was established when Rollo and Kay retired to provide financial support to physical education and elementary education majors.
Rollo Taylor[/caption]
The UW-L community and the city of La Crosse lost a great friend, mentor and person. Rollo Taylor, a long-time physical education instructor at UW-L passed away quietly at home with his family at his side after a long battle with a rare genetic condition.
Rollo touched many peoples’ lives at UW-L and the greater La Crosse area. As a physical education instructor he taught thousands of students during his long tenure at UW-L. Many people in La Crosse witnessed his involvement in the community in a plethora of activities through his church or his involvement with the La Crosse Boys & Girls Club, as well as his involvement in the yearly Oktoberfest festivities. Still others remember him through stays at the Pow Wow campground north of La Crosse.
All of us have known Rollo in our own special way, but I think all of us can say that we have been blessed because Rollo served as the consummate ambassador for everything he was a part of. How lucky could these institutions be having Rollo Taylor and Kay as their ambassadors?
I first met Rollo in the fall of 1978. As many of you know, Rollo was the long-time freshmen basketball coach at UW-L so when I tried out for the team in October, I first encountered this great coach and better person. I was fortunate to make the team and play for this legendary coach.
It was during this time that our friendship began even though I was not even close to being one of the best players. Rollo had the knack of treating everyone respectfully regardless of position or status. For the next five years that I was on campus, I stayed connected with the basketball program through Rollo, either serving as a statistician or as Rollo’s assistant coach. I was fortunate to attend weddings, birthday parties, and anniversaries in the Taylor family, as well as Oktoberfest coronations and Hall of Fame inductions.
His infectious smile and caring personality are something that we all enjoyed immensely. He was so comfortable around so many different groups of people. What other person in the world could teach a dance class in his famous dance slippers only to quickly change into coaching sneakers?
Rollo will be greatly missed by his wife, Kay, and his three children: Todd, Terri, and Traci, as well as his daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law and all of his grandchildren.
Coach T will also be missed by the hundreds of players who played for him over the years. Many of his students will remember him for his mentorship in helping them choose a major or find a job. There is probably not an instructor who helped more students find a job after graduating from UW-L than Rollo Taylor.
Our close relationship continued until the day he passed away. The imprint of his great smile will remain engrained in my long-term memory. His influence on me as a person and educator will never leave me.
I will miss my friend Rollo probably more than I can ever imagine. Thanks for being a part of our lives. We love you Rollo!
Dan Hoffman, ’84 UW-L
River Falls
A tribute to Taylor ran in the La Crosse Tribune.
Rollo Taylor when he was inducted into the 1987 Wall of Fame.[/caption]
Rollo G. Taylor, 78, of La Crosse, died Aug. 23, 2013, after a 13-year struggle with the genetic neurological disease, Cadasil. He graduated from UW-L in 1956, serving his senior year as class president. He was an athlete at La Crosse State, lettering in basketball and cross-country.
Taylor began his 36-year career in education with 10 years of high school teaching and coaching in Horicon and West Bend. During this 10-year period, he continued his education with advanced degrees at UW-Madison and Arizona State University. He returned to campus in 1965 to teach and coach, retiring in 1992 as professor emeritus. He is survived by his wife, Kay, and their three children and their families. Memorials may be given to the Taylor Family Scholarship at the UW-L Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, Wis., 54601. This scholarship was established when Rollo and Kay retired to provide financial support to physical education and elementary education majors.
A tribute to long-time coach and professor Rollo Taylor
[caption id="attachment_4190" align="alignleft" width="270"] Rollo Taylor[/caption]
The UW-L community and the city of La Crosse lost a great friend, mentor and person. Rollo Taylor, a long-time physical education instructor at UW-L passed away quietly at home with his family at his side after a long battle with a rare genetic condition.
Rollo touched many peoples’ lives at UW-L and the greater La Crosse area. As a physical education instructor he taught thousands of students during his long tenure at UW-L. Many people in La Crosse witnessed his involvement in the community in a plethora of activities through his church or his involvement with the La Crosse Boys & Girls Club, as well as his involvement in the yearly Oktoberfest festivities. Still others remember him through stays at the Pow Wow campground north of La Crosse.
All of us have known Rollo in our own special way, but I think all of us can say that we have been blessed because Rollo served as the consummate ambassador for everything he was a part of. How lucky could these institutions be having Rollo Taylor and Kay as their ambassadors?
I first met Rollo in the fall of 1978. As many of you know, Rollo was the long-time freshmen basketball coach at UW-L so when I tried out for the team in October, I first encountered this great coach and better person. I was fortunate to make the team and play for this legendary coach.
It was during this time that our friendship began even though I was not even close to being one of the best players. Rollo had the knack of treating everyone respectfully regardless of position or status. For the next five years that I was on campus, I stayed connected with the basketball program through Rollo, either serving as a statistician or as Rollo’s assistant coach. I was fortunate to attend weddings, birthday parties, and anniversaries in the Taylor family, as well as Oktoberfest coronations and Hall of Fame inductions.
His infectious smile and caring personality are something that we all enjoyed immensely. He was so comfortable around so many different groups of people. What other person in the world could teach a dance class in his famous dance slippers only to quickly change into coaching sneakers?
Rollo will be greatly missed by his wife, Kay, and his three children: Todd, Terri, and Traci, as well as his daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law and all of his grandchildren.
Coach T will also be missed by the hundreds of players who played for him over the years. Many of his students will remember him for his mentorship in helping them choose a major or find a job. There is probably not an instructor who helped more students find a job after graduating from UW-L than Rollo Taylor.
Our close relationship continued until the day he passed away. The imprint of his great smile will remain engrained in my long-term memory. His influence on me as a person and educator will never leave me.
I will miss my friend Rollo probably more than I can ever imagine. Thanks for being a part of our lives. We love you Rollo!
Dan Hoffman, ’84 UW-L
River Falls
A tribute to Taylor ran in the La Crosse Tribune.